2025 Unsung Hero Award: Tracy Cramer

2025 Unsung Hero Award

Tracy Cramer

Chief Development Officer
Liberation Programs

Every nonprofit has at least one person whose work keeps everything moving forward — often quietly and without recognition. At Liberation Programs, that person is Tracy Cramer, chief development officer and the recipient of this year’s NonProfit PRO Unsung Hero Award.

While Cramer’s title suggests her primary responsibility is fundraising — a role she fulfills with distinction — her impact reaches far beyond dollars raised. According to her nominator, Cramer consistently steps outside the bounds of her formal role, contributing time, expertise and care to ensure Liberation Programs operates smoothly and effectively. 

“Tracy is the steady hand behind so many of our successes,” her nominator told NonProfit PRO. “She supports the senior leadership team and program leads with a quiet consistency that allows others to shine.”

Liberation Programs provides critical services to individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges, and Cramer plays a central role in ensuring that work is supported, communicated and sustained. On any given day, she may be coordinating with program staff to meet operational needs, drafting communications that reflect the organization’s mission with dignity and clarity, or managing the countless logistical details that allow large initiatives to come to life.

For example, when Liberation Programs opened a new building, Cramer led the effort to design, select and order nameplates for every door — a task that could easily have been delegated or overlooked.

“To some, this might sound like a small thing,” her nominator said. “But Tracy understood that those nameplates represent dignity, ownership and pride for the people who work at Liberation, and she handled the task with the same thoughtfulness she gives to the largest campaign or gala.”

Beyond her operational and strategic contributions, Cramer is known for the way she shows up for her colleagues. She listens, encourages and consistently finds ways to lift others up — even while managing a demanding workload of her own.

That same consistency extends to her work in public relations, marketing and communications — areas where her influence is substantial but often invisible. Liberation Programs offers a wide range of services, and Cramer ensures they are presented in a cohesive, professional manner that aligns with the organization’s mission and values.

“It’s not glamorous work, and it rarely draws applause,” her nominator noted. “But without Tracy’s leadership in this area, we wouldn’t be able to reach our community with the same clarity or effectiveness.”

The Rest of the 2025 NonProfit Professionals of the Year Awards

• NonProfit Professionals of the Year Award: Michael T. Pugh
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Margaret Foti and Joanne Samuel Goldblum
• Fundraiser of the Year Award: Jason Heitman
• Rising Star Award: Damon Christian Watson